New Plans to Boost Self-Employment: Shri Kalraj Mishra

Hon’ble Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister, MSME highlights the Development of MSME’s and plans to enhance the future roadmap for the Indian Economy.

What are the priorities of the MSME Ministry in this financial year?

We are continuously reviewing the progress of all schemes for MSMEs. Our main aim is the development of entrepreneurs. This year the Ministry is especially focused upon ‘Sfoorti’ and ‘Aspire’ Schemes. Already we have opened 25 Sfoorti clusters and 30 Aspire Aajeevika Business Incubators .

Similarly, we hope that the construction of nine technology centers will be completed by the end of 2017. Bhiwadi, Rohtak, Bengaluru, Durg and Vishakhapatnam have been identified for he first phase and work is in progress there. Sitarganj, Pudduchery, Baddi and Greater Noida will be our next target and these are state of the art centers.

What is the current status of the Credit guarantee scheme (CGS)?

CGS was launched to make available collateral-free credit to the micro and small enterprise sector. Both the existing and the new enterprises are eligible to be covered under the scheme. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, GoI and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), has established a trust named Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for MSEs to implement the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises. In the end of FY 17-18, the trust fund will amount to at least Rs 25000 Cr, which will prove to be a catalyst for MSEs. Here I want to mention, that for the first time the Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) will also be covered under the Credit Guarantee Scheme.

What was the impact of Demonetization and the subsequent increase in Digital Transactions on MSMEs?

Demonetization was a big step for ‘Aam Janta’ and definitely benefited them. The money that has been recovered through Demonetization is being used in the interest of common people. Yes, initially there were some difficulties but that has been sorted long ago. The workers and laborers who left during demonetization are once again coming back to MSME. When it comes to Digital Transactions, in my opinion, it will restrain corruption. There are lots of initiatives that the government is taking like training is being provided for educating people about Digital Transactions.

Recently MSME has formed a new government cadre. What are its benefits?

From a long time, separate Seva cadre was demanded for the central government officers working in the MSME department. The demand was granted in last December’s cabinet meeting headed by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Indian Enterprise Development Service i.e, IEDS now includes 617 officers. The cadre is in effect since 14th February 2017. It will speed up the development of MSME and will prove to be encouraging for the campaigns like Start-up and Stand-up India.

Two new schemes were launched recently. How are they beneficial for MSMs?

Hon’ble Prime Minster has inaugurated two important schemes namely ‘Z’ and ‘SC/ST Hub’. Here Z means Zero Defect, Zero Effect scheme; which will provide better business opportunities to MSMEs. Quality and Environment are the focus points of this scheme. 22,000 units are to be evaluated under this scheme and this is called ‘Z’ certification plan. This is further categorized into five certifications which are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum.

The National SC/ST hub is also an ambitious project of the government like the Z Plan. Under this scheme, MSME Ministry will ensure 4% procurement from the entrepreneurs of SC/ST quota. This will actually improve the financial condition of the weaker section of the society.

On the other hand, initiatives like Udyog Aadhar Memorendum and E-Pahal are making processes way easier for businessmen. Financial Felicitation Centres are being opened under the watch of NSIC, where one can apply for loans online.

Can you elaborate on the MSME Data Bank?

MSME bank has been established recently, where we are aggregating online data of MSME. On this platform, it is mandatory for MSME units to register and provide information. Such information will help all around development of MSME sector. The information is to be maintained online by data bank. ~As told to Laghu Udyog Samachar.